Review: Polling Day

Jesmen Tan’s10-minute short film should strike a chord with many local viewers, especially
those into the brutal workforce. The film uses the backdrop of the nation’s
polling day to illustrate the sentiments felt towards the governments, in
particular with regards to the influx of foreigners in the country.

The film is
as straightforward as it gets, having the protagonist feeling frustrated and
upset about his inability to snag a job, only to find out that an “ang moh” can
speak better Mandarin than him. It doesn’t help that the father figure (a
military regular: surprise, surprise) reprimands him for what seems like isn’t
his fault. The last scene is supposedly pivotal and thought-provoking – does it
really matter who we elect to lead the country?

The film’s
production values are predictably standard, with the been-there-done-that
dinner table scene, complete with a climatic heated argument. The cast’s performance,
while acceptable, has room for improvement. Jonathan Kho plays the protagonist
well enough to have us empathise with his predicament. The one who really
caught our attention is Ang Se Chuan’s portrayal of the lead’s grandfather.
Though his screen time is limited, his memorable outburst in the film’s key
scene is what you’ll walk away remembering.

When the
credits roll, you may not be triggered into thinking about the film’s inherent
themes as its synopsis promised. Instead, you may be left hanging thinking –
then what?